Playpens and Playareas

[Socks' Mum]

Pudding is very cute in his play pen!

 

[Maz]

I usually add a wheel or flying saucer to the playpen as well And maybe a few more items - cardboard boxes are fine. With holes in maybe! But don't take the wheel out of her cage. That will upset her if she finds her cage wheel in her playpen as that's her cage wheel. Maybe a cheap trixie wheel for the playpen? Or a flying saucer. I think flying saucers are ok for temporary use

Trixie 20cm plastic wheel - Amazon

18.5cm flying saucer - Amazon

 

[PuddingBear]

Thankyou! He is always so desperate to come out but always seems so nervous when out. So hopefully creating the routine for this outdoor time will help with this.

 

[PuddingBear]

Pudding is very cute in his play pen!

Thankyou!

 

[PuddingBear]

I usually add a wheel or flying saucer to the playpen as well And maybe a few more items - cardboard boxes are fine. With holes in maybe! But don't take the wheel out of her cage. That will upset her if she finds her cage wheel in her playpen as that's her cage wheel. Maybe a cheap trixie wheel for the playpen? Or a flying saucer. I think flying saucers are ok for temporary use

Trixie 20cm plastic wheel

18.5cm flying saucer

Thanks- will find another wheel and add some more bits into the mix

 

[Pastacat]

Is this playpen good? The opening in the top is unzippable. Its dimensions are 100x52x38cm. Would a ball pit playpen be better?

 

[Maz]

It would probably be fine - you'd need to be there to observe in case the hamster tried to climb out or chewed a hole in it, but a number of people have used something like this. There is a wonderful portable playpen from Omlet but it is expensive - which is the downside. It folds up and down in seconds into a neat package in a grey soft cover. I actually just use it without the floor part so it's quicker to put up and down

Large Hamster Playpen With Floor | Omlet

Pop up and play with our expertly engineered Large Playpen. Its generous dimensions let little people join their pets within its walls.

www.omlet.co.uk

 

[Socks' Mum]

Syrian hamsters can chew through the nylon very quickly and there is a risk of hammy getting stuck if s/he tries to squeeze through the hole he has created before it is large enough. The room would need to be hamster proofed in case of escape. The more solid play pens are better and safer (Songmics, Omlet, Henry's Homes) but it is still wise to hamster proof the room in case of escape

 

[Tulsi]

I have a lovely wooden playpen for sale if anyone lives in Somerset. I have a play cage for my dwarf hamster because I have a dog who would be verrry interested in a small hamster running around in a ground level pen!

 

[Hammy Chum]

I usually add a wheel or flying saucer to the playpen as well And maybe a few more items - cardboard boxes are fine. With holes in maybe! But don't take the wheel out of her cage. That will upset her if she finds her cage wheel in her playpen as that's her cage wheel. Maybe a cheap trixie wheel for the playpen? Or a flying saucer. I think flying saucers are ok for temporary use

Trixie 20cm plastic wheel - Amazon

18.5cm flying saucer - Amazon

The wheel in the play pen made a difference for Chumley, we got the Trixie one (figured its a spare wheel in case if needed). Give him something to 'do' in the playpen.

 

[Pastacat]

Syrian hamsters can chew through the nylon very quickly and there is a risk of hammy getting stuck if s/he tries to squeeze through the hole he has created before it is large enough. The room would need to be hamster proofed in case of escape. The more solid play pens are better and safer (Songmics, Omlet, Henry's Homes) but it is still wise to hamster proof the room in case of escape

Oh

I already ordered the playpen. Would it be more suitable if I canceled the order and used the bath tub for a play area(when it is dry of course)?

 

[Maz]

Oh

I already ordered the playpen. Would it be more suitable if I canceled the order and used the bath tub for a play area(when it is dry of course)?

I think it’ll be fine. You just need to keep an eye on her when she’s in it and distract her if she tries to chew. I like to use the bathtub at first until they’re a bit hand tame . It’s a smaller space.

 

[RoboMommy]

All my dwarfs were morning and daytime hamsters. They don't seem to establish routines like Syrians do.
Morning may be a good time to interact with Sweetie.

So true. Orpheus is such an early morning boy. Around 10 he pops out and makes sure he won't be disturbed and then b-lines to his wheel. And will not be disturbed. So disciplined lol. He'll let us watch him "dance" a bit at night, but won't come play until early morning.

 

[RoboMommy]

Any advice for something cost effective for a robo who loves to chew through his Amazon pop up? We're trying new playpen enrichments, too. He might be bored. Despite a swing, saucer/hide, and tubes lol.

 

[Maz]

I think it needs to be something solid and not the songmix type (robos can get out of those). There isn't a lot of choice in playpens and most choices are quite expensive. Unless you could make one. But the Omlet playpens are very good and popular - and well made so easy to put up and down.

The smaller sized one might be fine for a robo - the large one might be a bit overwhelming.

Omlet playpen small

 

[RoboMommy]

Thanks. Any more cost effective ideas?

 

[Maz]

You could make one but it's hard to make an escape-proof one. Happy Henry Homes have one which I've used and is good which costs a bit less but that is still £50.

Hamster Run Enclosure - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Together | Happy Henry’s Homes

Slot Together Wooden Hamster Run Enclosure - Available in 4 sizes- With or without 6mm floor bases- 9mm floor base version complete with grooves to retain the run in position and a hinge on reverse to allow the base to be folded for storage.- Made from pet safe poplar plywood, bonded with non...

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

 

[RoboMommy]

You could make one but it's hard to make an escape-proof one. Happy Henry Homes have one which I've used and is good which costs a bit less but that is still £50.

Hamster Run Enclosure - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Together | Happy Henry’s Homes

Slot Together Wooden Hamster Run Enclosure - Available in 4 sizes- With or without 6mm floor bases- 9mm floor base version complete with grooves to retain the run in position and a hinge on reverse to allow the base to be folded for storage.- Made from pet safe poplar plywood, bonded with non...

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

Thanks! Ended up getting same one with a bottom mat thats less destroyable. Also other playpen enrichment ideas? Trying a dig box in there and he has his saucer and some tunnels...